Page:Georgie by Dorothea Deakin, 1906.djvu/127

The Humorist "How shall I know," Georgie went on firmly, ignoring the dejected Jonah, "that directly we're gone you won't make yourself scarce with the money? How am I to know that you won't blow it all in in beer and scoot?"

There was a momentary silence, and Miss Dolly Fitzgerald turned from the window with a laugh.

"I think I can guarantee that he won't do that," said she softly.

With one accord we turned and stared at her. Lappin studied her face with some anxiety, perhaps appeal.

She came up to Drusilla with her pretty, timid smile.

"I didn't know," she said. "I suppose you'll all think I've been crying and telling the tale to take you in, but, indeed, I haven't. I didn't know. I thought he was doing the halls as Hall Smilo, and I'd never heard of Wallace Lappin. I haven't seen him since the Choir dried up. I really didn't know."

"The Choir?" Drusilla asked feebly, 111